Still In Construction

Norton is VPN program is not working properly.  It will not load in the USA, and I have had a few set backs because of it,. However, I learned that it is a Norton problem and it's nothing I can fix myself.In the meantime, this site still need a few tweets, like replacing the images in the scroll section, and some addition reference link to the bar bar above.

Tomorrow I'll work in the backyards to prepare them for the coming summer weather. I waited this long on purpose because I needed some additional supplies, so tomorrow I will re-pot the large plants that were illegally cut and manhandle by trespassers. 

So to you who trespassed and cause the damage, know that:

My gardens are not garden centers as one my neighbors; gardener gave you to believe. You trespassers and damaged those plants based on a lie told to you. I have reported each incident to the police, and we catch you in the act, we will prosecute for monetary damages.

To begin my restoration of the gardens, I will begin by posting photos of how you damaged to the plants and each step of their full recovery. 

during times and beyond, keep out of our backyards and do not touch our plants and/or patio furnishings. They neither yours and you do not belong back there at any day and time.

This is a very honest journal and all actions that effect my gardens are important to post here.

Evelyn’s Indoor Garden: ‘Gardening Indoors under Artificial Lights’ the Journal

 Hello, Darlings 

I thought it better to create a PDF of my journal than post each entry separately. This I can start post my recent entry. 

Therefore, here it is all 156 pages of my honest, unedited and forthright experiences in indoor gardening.

Evelyn’s Indoor Garden

‘Gardening Indoors under Artificial Lights’

 The entry below is my current entry with corrections.

03/22/2024 – my new Schefflera Amate (Umbrella Tree)/(Schefflera actinophylla) arrived today it is beautiful and healthy. It is 3 3/4 feet tall and in a 10” pot. It arrived pot bound, but I wait until next spring to pot up, considering it does well in medium light areas, it will do well here in the house. In addition, I will try bottle-feeding it every two weeks.

Schefflera Amate (Umbrella Tree)

 

PRO TIP: Every three months, rinse your plant’s leaves with room temperature water in the shower. This helps prevent pests and remove any dust that is accumulated, ensuring they’re able to photosynthesize efficiently and show off that trademark gloss.

Native to tropical regions such as Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, the Umbrella Tree is a full and bushy plant known for its large, glossy leaves. It prefers a bright, non-direct light and can tolerate lower light levels as well. If placing it in a lower light environment, reduce water accordingly. With a developed root system, the Schefflera can be watered less frequently than most other plants and is prone to root rot, so error on the side of dryness when deciding whether to water or not.

 

Care Level 

Moderate.

Light Requirements
Prefers bright indirect light, but is adaptable to lower light conditions. This plant will not tolerate no light. 

Water Requirements

Be sure to water your plant upon delivery. Schefflera like dry soil and will rot when too much moisture is present. When the soil is dry 1-2" of the way through the pot, then the plant is ready to be watered. In lower light conditions, be sure to water more sparingly. 

Humidity Preference

Medium humidity; place your plant away from hot or cold air drafts. The Schefflera appreciates an occasional misting. 

Benefits: Large Impact & Low Maintenance

Schefflera trees are large and full, so when looking for a medium light tolerant plant with a big presence, the Schefflera is the way to go. Their ability to thrive in lower light spaces and preference for periods of drought make them a great low maintenance option.4 Schefflera Amates like to dry out significantly between waterings. The most common mistake made with these plants is overwatering. Let the soil almost completely dry out between waterings. Typically, you don’t want to water your Schefflera more than once every 10 days. Do not water if the top half of the potting medium is still moist.

The Schefflera can grow upwards of 8 feet tall indoors and 65 feet outdoors. To tame the plant's growth and maintain a bushier appearance, prune the new growth tips. Make sure to do all pruning with sharp, sterilized blades.

Rotate plant periodically to ensure even growth on all sides and dust the leaves often so the plant can photosynthesize efficiently. When dusting the leaves, also take the opportunity to inspect the undersides and keep an eye out for pests.

Next time, my backyard garden journal: "How My Garden Grows, or Not, Sic"

My reference books, dating back to 1975.

Until then.

      Chow, Darlings

My Yucca is Not Your Yuca!!!

Hello, Darlings

I know I stated in my last post that I would start this online plant care page by entering my first experiences with growing and caring for houseplants and other plants in containers over the decades. However, I had an interesting conversation with one of my neighbors yesterday about one of the yucca plants in my backyard.  While I know that the yucca plant is toxic, it was clear to me that my neighbor was confusing it with the yuca shrub (Cassava) which has edible roots found in grocery stores.

So for my neighbor, I added this brief little post about the difference between the yucca plant and the yucca shrub.

 What I own are yucca flowering plants, and while a yuca is a root vegetable that is often prepared like potatoes, such a side of fries, soup, mashed or my favorite dish tapioca, because of their names, the Yucca plant is often confused with the Yuca..

I want to make it clear that I personally would avoid eating anything from my yucca plant. The reason for this is although its skin and leaves are poisonous, the yucca plant has been used in some medicines because it contains saponins*. Yet, regardless of the saponins, some people, like my neighbor, state that you can eat the plant. However, professionals view the plant with caution and state that only very skilled chefs know the secret to preparing yucca because of the saponins. Prepared the wrong way and it can make diners very sick.

My advice, stick to the yuca roots from the stores to make delicious meals, but treat the yucca plant as the beautiful and stately flowering plant as God intended it to be. In addition, do not readily accept information about plants from others as complete fact. Do your research.

*Saponins (Latin "sapon", soap + "-in", one of), also selectively referred to as triterpene glycosides, are bitter-tasting usually toxic plant-derived organic chemicals that have a foamy quality when agitated in water. They are widely distributed but found particularly in soapwort (genus Saponaria), a flowering plant, the soapbark tree (Quillaja saponaria) and soybeans (Glycine max L.). They are used in soaps, medicines, fire extinguishers, speciously as dietary supplements, for synthesis of steroids, and in carbonated beverages (for example, being responsible for maintaining the head on root beer). Saponins are both water and fat soluble, which gives them their useful soap properties. Some examples of these chemicals are glycyrrhizin (licorice flavoring) and quillaia (alt. quillaja), a bark extract used in beverages. -- From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

 

 

 

YUCA WITH ROOT

 

YUCCA

YUCCA AGAIN IN BLOOM

Until next time,

      Chow, Darlings

Sorting

 Sorting out my entries and correcting mistakes,

Evelyn’s Twigs, Thyme and Stranger Things Gardens, An Introduction

 Hello, Darlings

 

Welcome to my online garden journal, “Evelyn’s Twigs, Thyme and Stranger Things Gardens”. If you have not already read the “Welcome!!!” above, then let me fill you in on the details and purpose of this site.

 

I am a container gardener of both outdoor and of indoor plants. Over some 50+ years I have built up some knowledge about the care for my collection of plants that I found will strive in most environments. I have also kept a written journal on each plant on my computer and have now decided to post them.  

 

Dipladenia-Red-500 I will repot them this year.

 

Some of the plants you might not see because they are either in the house or my earlier lack of knowledge of a new plant led to its demise, or worse, some other human interference. Yes, there are people like that. Nevertheless, I do not profess to be a professional expert in gardening and plant care, but my knowledge has grown over the decades to make me an expert with the plants that I own now.

 

In addition to the routine care of these plants, I have learned the miracle of growing plants under LED grow lights. With these lights I am learning that some houseplants and outdoor shade plants strive very well without a touch of natural sunlight.

 

I love the idea that there is still a lot to learn about growing and maintaining plants in containers, and here is where I will share facts and tips on their care and cause of failure, particularly the ones outdoors.

Wintergreen Weeping Fig Tree

To end this post, have patience with the order in which my journal entries are posted, as I will start with the very first post to the present.

 

Red Fragrant Knock Roses blooming in winter.

Until next time,

 

     Chow, Darlings 

 

P.S. As you can see there is not much here yet, so come back later.